Re: Counting down the days to retirement I think I have been really lucky in my life as I have loved every job (except one that I only did for one day) I started work at 16 in the coal mines and loved everyday, usually working double shifts when I got into my twenties. I worked in factories for many years after that before owning my own business for a couple of years (Lost that in a divorce) Then worked in the motor trade for over 10 years before moving to America to carry on working in the motor trade, where my director has promoted me 3 times in less than 2 years. I go to work with a smile on my face and finish work after over ten hours with the smile still in place. I have worked with people along the way that don't enjoy their work and they seem to be down in the dumps even when they are away from work, to me work is a joy not a chore, I am sure this helps me have a happy and healthy life, or maybe I am just a weirdo
Re: Counting down the days to retirement He has narrowed his interest down to three possible franchises: 1. A lettings agency franchise (coincidence) 2. An oven cleaning franchise 3. Some kind of chips away type franchise I must admit the way he is talking is like he has been brainwashed by the hype and marketing. I just hope he considers the rough along with the smooth before he signs away the family jewels.
Re: Counting down the days to retirement Not much money in the Eunuch Franchise business but apparently you do live longer.
Re: Counting down the days to retirement If he's considering going into Property Management, ie lettings agency, tell him to try Southcourt Property Management (or Services). They are selling a package for £245. It is not your typical franchise - it's a one-off payment and great value. I bought their package about 9 years ago and it is very good, with telephone support by the owner! I have just stopped letting properties this last month (to concentrate on my main business), and as I said in an earlier post I should have checked out the competition as there are too many letting agents in Cambridge (the biggest spend about £4,000 per week advertising in the local paper!). However, your mate's area may be different! I know someone who bought an oven-cleaning franchise and he didn't make a go of it (but I don't know how hard he tried). Again, can the cleaning materials be bought elsewhere, so that he doesn't have to buy the franchise (he would then only need a van and some advertising). My second franchise was a chips away type franchise. They let franchisees loose on an unsuspecting public after only 2 weeks' training and without any assessment of the franchisee's standard of work. You cannot be an expert paint sprayer after 2 weeks! The compressor I was supplied with kept blowing people's electrics or would not work when it was cold. The paint will not adhere to the metal of the vehicle if it's too cold, either. In my case, I had a medical reaction to the lacquer, and so had to stop doing the job. So to do right, you need to work indoors, otherwise you can forget working outdoors in the cold and rain (3 months a year?). Again, you can start up in this sort of business yourself with a van (preferably a garage too), buy your paint from a local supplier, and pay for a training course only (I did see some advertised on ebay). Whilst I think Chips Away are probably quite a good franchise, I wouldn't recommend the people I was with. The franchise cost me £17,500, and I could buy supplies such as paint etc ONLY from them at inflated prices, and I had to pay £125 per month "management" fees.
I work for myself too. About 30 hours a month on average. The rest of the time I mess about on here and on Farcebook making a t*t of myself.
How did you end up being self employed and doing something you hate?! That's surely a little careless?!
Re: Counting down the days to retirement Thanks very much, this is all excellent advice which I will pass on. I've told him he should try and contact other franchisees at random and ask them their opinion.
Re: Counting down the days to retirement I despise my job at the moment. (Teacher). School in special measures and getting hammered from every angle by new management and OFSTED. Wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Only another 34 years to go to retirement, hey ho. Holidays are ok though. Only problem is going back after them.
I don't mind working, wouldn't know what to do with myself otherwise, but I do get pretty bored, it's not rocket science what I do but I don't find it particularly challenging. I really should look for something else but I hate being the "new guy" Sent from my Sandwich Toaster using Tapatalk